Artwork
Madonna med Barnet
Madonna med Barnet is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work is a monochrome painting depicting a crowned woman seated on a modest throne, holding a small crowned child.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses entirely on the bond between Mary and Jesus, reflecting the spiritual significance attributed to their relationship within the faith.
Created in 1848, this religious painting depicts the Madonna and Child, a central theme in Christian art. The work portrays the Virgin Mary alongside the Christ Child, adhering to traditional iconography where the mother and infant are the sole figures.
As an example of religious genre painting, the image serves as a devotional representation of these holy figures. The composition focuses entirely on the bond between Mary and Jesus, reflecting the spiritual significance attributed to their relationship within the faith.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen as KMS 558, where it has remained since acquisition. Its creation date is recorded as 1848, aligning with the mid-19th-century Danish Golden Age context.
The work is classified within the museum’s holdings as a religious painting depicting the Madonna and Child, consistent with its iconographic theme. No documented commission or early ownership history prior to its inclusion in the national collection has been identified in the available sources.
The painting is held by Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, inventoried as KMS 558.
It has been exhibited at Statens Museum for Kunst as part of the museum’s collection display of 19th-century Danish religious art, where it is presented under the title Madonna med Barnet.
Overview
The work is a monochrome painting depicting a crowned woman seated on a modest throne, holding a small crowned child. Both figures are dressed in solemn attire, the woman in a dark robe edged with fur. An arched frame encloses the scene, and a chandelier hangs above, while the background remains plain.
Technique & Style
Rendered in black and white, the painting relies on tonal contrast to model the figures and architectural elements. The simple throne, arched opening, and chandelier are delineated with minimal detail, emphasizing the solemnity of the composition.
Context
Images of the Virgin with the Christ Child have long served as focal points for prayer, especially in contexts emphasizing mercy toward the poor. This depiction aligns with the broader tradition of Marian iconography that underscores her role as a compassionate intercessor.
Artist & collection
